What first Anemone or clowns

revrick3

revrick3

Member
Finished 4 months of setup, going into 5 and trying to plan on purchase of clowns and anemone, I hope I can get them to host. Is it better to get anemone first then add clowns, or together or clowns then anemone, or does it matter. Are wild clowns more likely to host? Water has been steady for couple months and only have a foxface, yellow tang and 3 small PJ cardinals in tank with a few soft coral. Have 220w T5 lighting, and 240PC lighting, is this enough in 90gl tank? T5 are not individual reflectors?
 
scottallert

scottallert

Active Member
you can get a BTA or Long tentacle anenome, and what ever clowns you like or you might be able to find clowns already hosting an anenome at the lfs
 
mr.clownfish

mr.clownfish

Active Member
the lighting is perfect.
IMO i like getting the anemone first because it might take an hour or too for it to find its place and stick. then the clown can easily host it. wild clowns will host the anemone, much more chance. but tomato clownfish IMO host 90% of the time.
 
revrick3

revrick3

Member
which anemone works best, and is easier to keep. Are there certain ones tomato clowns like. I heard they are somewhat more aggresive than others.
 
fireykat04

fireykat04

Member
Originally Posted by revrick3
http:///forum/post/2888090
which anemone works best, and is easier to keep. Are there certain ones tomato clowns like. I heard they are somewhat more aggresive than others.
I think it depends on the circumstances. I had a clarki that was docile as could be in one tank; in another tank the clarki (with bigger fish) was very aggressive.
 
lmecher

lmecher

Member
My 2 cents

I think the tang will out grow your tank. I'd definately go with a bta as your first anemone. They are the most forgiving of all hosting anemones. I have them in 2 different tanks. In one a pair of ocellaris host 4 and just had their first spawn. It took about a year for them to host. In another tank I have a perc onxy and black/white ocellaris hosting 2. Not from experience but it is said you have a better chance of ocellaris hosting bta's than percs. I would however stay away from maroons, they do not play well with others. I would recomend getting a juvinelle ocellaris or which ever kind of clown you choose, two if you want a pair. They will mature, one will become female and they will bond. I don't see a reason to add fish and anemone in any particular order, because chances are unless they have already been hosting fish, they usually don't just dive right in, it takes a while, long enough for the anemone to acclimate. I won't recomend wild caught, they are not as hardy as cb and can carry parasites/diseases. I choose to buy cb whenever I can to help preserve the worlds reefs!
 
lmecher

lmecher

Member
This list is of clownfish and their natural host anemones. There are many clownfish that will host anemones other than their natural hosts. This can be misleading. Sometimes you have just as good of a chance getting them to host one that is not a natural host depends on the species. For instance many of the anemones listed are very difficult to keep. Some too large, require extermely intense lighting, are very delicate, expense is another prohibitive factor. If this is your first, the bta is the way to go, you have a better chance keeping it alive, and you don't want to loose one to ingorance, that would be too discouraging. Good Luck!
 
fireykat04

fireykat04

Member
Originally Posted by Lmecher
http:///forum/post/2889763
This list is of clownfish and their natural host anemones. There are many clownfish that will host anemones other than their natural hosts. This can be misleading. Sometimes you have just as good of a chance getting them to host one that is not a natural host depends on the species. For instance many of the anemones listed are very difficult to keep. Some too large, require extermely intense lighting, are very delicate, expense is another prohibitive factor. If this is your first, the bta is the way to go, you have a better chance keeping it alive, and you don't want to loose one to ingorance, that would be too discouraging. Good Luck!
Per Lmecher I have removed my post; the list is compiled of difficult anemone's to keep. I do not want anyone buying the anemone's thinking they are easy keepers. If you can remove the quote from your post that would work too!
 
shrimpi

shrimpi

Active Member
IMO bubble tips are good starters if they are in good health to begin with... which usually isnt the case. I cant remember the last time I saw a healthy anemone in a LFS. Ive even ordered a RBTA online from a reputable store and it died a week later.
There are so many circumstances to account for, I dont even think you can go by that.
Why not go to your LFS and try to find an anemone that looks healthy. Whichever species you find .. just get one that isnt totally bleached.
Ive had much better sucess with my LTAs than BTAs.. but that may just be coincidence. I nursing a Gbta with pink tips back to health now, and he is doing better each week.
Oh, and clowns will host faster to thier natural anemone in my opinion, but they still may like a anemone that is not natural to them (of course, they have little individual personalities)
My maroon goes back and forth between my bta and lta but prefers the lta.
Good Luck and keep us posted!
Jess
 
lmecher

lmecher

Member
A good place to try your local clubs. Ours has healthy bta's for sale all the time. I would try to buy one from a private party, no shipping involved. I have several very healthy rbta's I am going to be selling soon.
 
revrick3

revrick3

Member
GREAT advice guys, this has helped a lot. I will start looking but take my time for purchase, we have a couple of local LFS, one has much better supply and stock than other. I dont know of a local club, I am in SC. How could I find out about this. That would be an awesome way to get items, trade buy etc. Lmecher are you selling these to ship, if so Pm me. Thanks
 
rotarymagic

rotarymagic

Active Member
I would change the lights... could do way more with the same wattage..
swap out to an 8 bulb (or better) T5HO fixture with individual reflectors. An anenome may or may not thrive under your current lighting.. it's a tall tank and the current lighting may not provide enough PAR where the anenome decides to perch.
 
lmecher

lmecher

Member
Shrimpi;2889794 said:
Why not go to your LFS and try to find an anemone that looks healthy. Whichever species you find .. just get one that isnt totally bleached.
Jess, I am assuming you ment a bta or lta, not what ever species you find.
That could lead to disaster. Just wanted to clear that up, I am sure you didn't mean to type that.
Click to expand...
 
shrimpi

shrimpi

Active Member
Lmecher;2890140 said:
Originally Posted by Shrimpi
http:///forum/post/2889794
Why not go to your LFS and try to find an anemone that looks healthy. Whichever species you find .. just get one that isnt totally bleached.
Jess, I am assuming you ment a bta or lta, not what ever species you find.
That could lead to disaster. Just wanted to clear that up, I am sure you didn't mean to type that.
oh yeah, I meant either a LTA or BTA.. not just ANY species! sorry I should have been more clear!
Thanks for catching that... could have been disastrous!
Also, I agree totally with checking your local clubs. There are probably people in your area that have a anemone that needs a new home, and its most likely healthier than one from the LFS.. at least in my experience with local clubs.
Good Luck!
Im glad you are feeling more informed and making smart decisions
Jess
Click to expand...
 
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